Jones prepares to face 'rusty' All Blacks

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Jones prepares to face 'rusty' All Blacks

7 August 2005 20:30pm

Australia head coach Eddie Jones is hoping his side can avoid a backlash after New Zealand's six-point loss to a rampaging South Africa on Saturday.

The Wallabies tackle the All Blacks in the traditional first leg battle of the Bledisloe Cup and Jones knows his team will have to be at the top of their game to win after losing their last two Tests in South Africa.

"I thought South Africa played very well, with a lot of confidence," he said.

"South Africa has a unique style of defence which is working well for them. We can't play like that because we don't have the same resources as the South Africans.

"The All Blacks looked a bit rusty."

Jones said the Wallabies would be working on their set-pieces at the training camp at Coffs Harbour on the northern NSW coast this week.

"Full-back Chris Latham has a slight hamstring strain and will not train until Wednesday," he said.

It's a recurring problem for the Queensland player, who turns 30 on September 8.

"It's not that serious, just annoying because it's the third time he has had the problem this season," Jones said.